lefever



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet l. D. M. LEPEVER 8v J. H. BROWN.

BREEGH LOADING FIRE ARM.

No. 423,521. Patented Mar. 18, 1890.

INN?! WITNESSES:

(No Model.) 2 SheetsSheet 2.

D. M. LEFEVER & J H. BROWN.

BREEOH LOADING FIRE ARM.

No. 423,521. Patented Mar. 18; 1890.

ATTORNE/ NITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

DANIEL M. LEFEVER AND JESSE H. BROWN, OF SYRACUSE, NEW YORK, ASSIGNORS TO THE LEFEVER ARMS COMPANY, OF SAME PLACE.

BREECH-LOADING FIRE-ARM.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 423,521, dated March 18, 1890.

Application filed November-'5, 1888. Serial No. 289,960. (No model.) I

' following, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a full, clear, and exact description.

Our invention relates to improvements in breech-loading fire-arms, and has for its object the production of a simple and effective device whereby upon the usual breaking of the gun for the purpose of inserting or extracting the shell. the hammers are automatically cooked, the barrels checked from further movement, and when the barrels are returned to their normal position the cocking device automatically locked against'engagement.

To this end it consists, essentially, of a novel and peculiar cocking-lever secured or connected to the pivotal bolt of the hammers and engaging a pivoted dog or stirrup in the barrel-lug, the peculiar construction of which pivoted dog and cocking-lever checks the further movement of the barrel after the same has been broken down sufficiently to allowof extracting or inserting the shell.

It consists, also, in the peculiar connection of the shell-extractor to the dog pivoted in the barrel-lug, whereby when the barrels are in their normal position the point of en gagement of said dog is automatically locked from operative engagement with the point of engagement of the cocking-lever, thus allowing the gun to be readily taken apart for any desired purpose; and it furthermore consists in the detail construction and arrangement of the parts, all as hereinafter more fully described, and pointed out in the claims.

In specifying our invention reference is had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which like letters and figures indicate corresponding parts in all the views.

Figure 1 is'an elevation, partly in section, of a gun with our improved cocking and barrel-checking device provided thereon, with only such parts of the mechanism of the gun shown as are necessary for the description of our invention, and illustrating the relative arrangement of our improved device when the barrels are closed and the hammers up in the position assumed after the gun has been fired. Fig. 2 is a like elevation, partlyin section, illustrating the barrels as broken and the operation of the cooking device in such position, showing the hammers already forced over to their cocked position, where they are at once caught by the scars, which are not illustrated. Fig. 3 is an isometric perspective of the two hammers and their pivotal bolt or rod with the cocking-lever secured thereto, the parts being in the position assumed when the hammers have been forced back against their mainsprings and the cocking-lever has, assumed its normal position upon the closing of the barrels. Fig. 4 is a side elevation of the cocking-lever, with the hammer-bolt shown in section, illustrating the relative construction of these parts. Fig. 5 is an inverted plan of the barrels and their lug, illustrating the manner in which the pivoted dog or stirrup is secured therein. Fig. 6 is a side elevation of the extractor, and Fig. 7 is an isometric perspective of the pivoted stirrup secured in the barrel-lug.

A represents the gun-frame, of the usual or any desirable construction, secured to which is a suitable stock A, fore-end B, and barrels C. The hammers D, which may be of the usual construction,are mounted upon the pivotal bolt E,preferably secured in the gunframe A, and provided with a spline or feather E, registering with a keyway D provided erably mounted in a slot G, provided therein.

WVhen the barrels are broken, as illustrated 100 in Fig. 2, the hook G engaging the hook F?, forces upward the cocking-lever F and rotates the pivotal bolt E, which, by the en gagement of the feather E with the keyway D forces over the hammers D against the action of the mainspring. (Not shown.) When sufficiently forced over, the hammers are caught by any suitable sear, (also not shown,) and when the barrels are restored to their normal position the cocking-lever-F is forced to the position illustrated in Fig. 1. This movement of the cocking-lever F is allowed by reason of the enlarged keyway provided in, the hammers, which, when the sear is withdrawn and the mainspring forces them to their normal position, are thereby rocked on their pivot independent of the feather E and independent of each other and the cookinglev'er F.

A spring I bears upon the dog or stirrup G in any desired manner and constantly forces it downward from the barrel-lug into engagement with the cocking-lever F. When closing the gun to its normal position, the cocking-leverF is forced to the position illustrated in Fig. 1, and a projection F formed thereon, crowds backward the dog G against the action of the spring I. This movement of the dog G causes the hook or point of engagement G thereof to be forced from direct or operative engagement with the hook or point of engagement F of the cocking-lever F.

The extractor L, of the usual form, is provided with a cut-out or notch L, into which projects the lug or tooth G ofthe dog G. This tooth extends through the barrel-lug into the journal-bearing K of the extractor. When the dog G is forced to its normal position, as just previously described, the rear face of the notch L, which is preferably beveled, rides upon said lug and securely retains the dog G in said position, preventing it being rocked upon its pivot by the spring I.

The ejector or extractor operator, which may be of the usual form, is not illustrated, but consists of a projecting piece rigidly secured in the extension of the gun-frame This ejector engages the free extremity of the extractor -rod, and when the barrels are dropped the said extractor is-forced backward and engages the flange of the cartridgeshells, discharging the same. It will be understood that when the extractor is moved backward to discharge the cartridgefsh'ell the rearward face of the notch L thereof will ride from over the lug or tooth G and the notch L will be engaged therewith, allowing the spring I to force forward the dog G and rock its hook G? around the hook F of the.

cocking-lever. It will thus be seen that these normally-disengaged points of engagement are caused to be operatively engaged immediately at the beginning of the dropping of the gun-barrels.

When the barrels have been broken and the fresh cartridges inserted, the locking-dog F, as described, forcesbackward the dog G, pivoted in the barrel-lug, and rocks the lug or projection G out of the journal-bearing K of the extractor stem or bar. At the same time the breech of the gun forces the extractor to its normal position, upon which the notch L, provided in the bar thereof, rides forward, and the rear face of said notch rides over the lug G ,-preventing the operation of the spring I and locking the oscillating dog in said position, with its point of engagement out of direct or operative engagement with the point of engagement of the cocking-lever. When the barrels are again broken, the ejector forces back the extractor out of engagement with the lug G of the pivoted dog, and immediately, as described, the spring I forces forward said dog, causing the hook F or point of engagement thereof to ride sufficiently forward to operatively engage the point of engagement of the cocking-lever F. On the other hand, if, when desired to take the gun apart, the fore-end is first taken off, the barrels can be readily removed from the gunframe. As, inthe removing of the barrel, the ejector does not force backward the extractor, it will be readily understood that the dog G remains locked against the action of the spring I, with its lug G beneath the rear face of the notch L.

By reference to the drawings it will be seen that the extremity of the cocking-lever F is preferably rounding, and that therefore but little movement of the .dog G is necessitated when the projection 13 forces backward said oscillating dog G. It is only necessary to force backward the same, so thatthe extremity of the hook G is in frontof the central part of-the rounded extremity of the cookinglever, since when in this position the said rounded extremity will allow the extremity of the hook G to ride forwardly therearound without operatively engaging with the point of engagement of the cocking-lever. On the other hand, if the oscillating dog G is back of the central portion. of the rounded extremity of the hook F itwill be understood that when the barrel is dropped the cockinglever will be operatively engaged by said extremity. It will also be understood that while the projection l5 rests against the dog G for the purpose of forcing the same backward, the points of engagement or the hooks of said cocking-lever and oscillating dog are disengaged from operation, although it requires but little movement thereof to cause the same to be in position for operation. This automatic locking of the points of engagement of the cocking-lever and oscillating dog is a feature of great advantage, since it allows the gun to be taken apart with great ease and without the exercise of skill.

- By reference to Fig. 1 it will be observed that in order to preventthe dog G from rotating too far upon its pivot when the barrels are disengaged from the gun we form on the dog the shoulder 2, which abuts against the barrel-lug or other suitable stop. When the barrels are in this disengaged position, the extractor L maybe readily withdrawn for the purpose of cleaning, as the forward end of its cut-out L rides on the upper rounded face of the dog G, rocks it on its pivot in the lug H, and forces the same out of the bearing K, and when the extractor is cleaned the dog may be pressed back against the action of its spring and the extractor easily inserted and forced home, thus locking the dog in the posit-ion illustrated in Fig. 1.

Itwill be seen by reference to Fig. 2 that when the barrels are broken the cocking-lever F and the dog or stirrup G are straightened out, thus forming a positive check for the barrels and preventing their further movement. This checking is independent of any engagement with a shoulder or other stop limiting their further movement, and depends Wholly upon the peculiar construction of these parts, and thus .we are able to utilize this very simple cocking device, consisting of but few parts, for a positive check to the barrels, still further simplifying the gun without any danger to the parts by reason of the force of the barrels being abruptly checked by contact with a stop or shoulder. If at any time, by reason of careless operating or any unforeseen flaw in the material, the stirrup G or the cocking-lever F should become broken,it will be apparent that but little time, expense, or skill is required to replace these parts, thus further increasing the utility of the gun. It will be understood, however, that, if desirable, the shoulder 2, provided on the dog G for the purpose of preventing undue rocking of the dog on its pivot, might be so formed as to contact with its seat at precisely the same time that the hooks F and G reach their limit of motion, thus re-enforcing their action as a check; but this construction is seldom necessary. If desirable, the shoulder 2 might be so formed as to stop the movement of the dog G before said limit was reached, which is now caused by the relative construction and arrangement of the dogs F and G.

The operation of our invention will be readily perceived from the foregoing, and it will be apparent that considerable change may be made in the detail construction and arrange ment of the parts from theillustrated form without departing from the spirit of our invention or, if desired, the device may be used simply as, a check without reference to the hammers, or it may be used as a cooking device in combination with any suitable check device.

Although only one cooking-lever and pivoted dog are needed, yet it will be apparent that when desirable, especially in guns of large caliber, two or more may be used without materially altering their construction or departing from our invention. In the case of shotguns it is especially desirable to construct the cocking device as illustrated, so that the same is entirely concealed within the gun when the parts are in their normal position, preventing all tampering of inquisitive persons, andfobviating all disengaging of the device by reason of undue contact from any outside substance, and protecting the parts from the influences of the atmosphere. It

will alsobe understood that in the construction of guns of larger caliber it does not always make a material difference Whether the cooking device is interposed between thebarrels and their supporting-frame in precisely the manner illustrated and described.

Having thus fully described our invention, what we claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. The combination, with the barrel of a gun, the main frame of the gun, and a movable dog secured to the barrel and concealed when the parts are in their normal position, of the hammer of the gun, the cocking-lever engaging the said movable dog and connected to the hammer, with a lost motion between said hammer and cocking-lever for allowing the hammer to operate independently of the cocking-lever, substantially as and for the purpose described.

2. The combination of the barrel of the gun, the main frame of the gun, and a movable dog secured to the barrel and incased or concealed when the parts'are in their normal position, with a pivotal bolt E, having a feather or key E, the hammer D, mount-ed on the bolt E and having the keyway or recess D of greater Width than the key E and registering with said key, and the cocking-lever F, rigidly secured to the bolt E and engaging the movable dog secured to the barrel, substantially as and for the purpose described.

3. The combination of the barrelof abreechloading gun, the main frame, and a movable dog secured to the barrel and incased or concealed within the gun when the parts are in their normal position, with the pivotal bolt E, the cocking-lever F, engaging the movable dog secured to the barrel and connected to the bolt E for cooking the same, and the ham- .Iners D, mounted on the bolt E and discharged independently of each other and the cookinglever, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

4. The combination of the barrel of a gun,

the hammer of a gun, a cocking-lever connected to'the hammer, and an oscillating dog secured to the barreland engaging the cocking-lever for cooking the hammer, said cocking-lever and oscillating dog having their.

points of engagement normally disengaged from operative engagement when the gun is in its normal position, substantially as described.

5. The combination, with a barrel of a gun and an oscillating dog secured thereto, of the hammer of a gun, a cocking-lever connected to the hammer and operated to cook the hammer bythe movement of the movable dog secured to the barrel, and a lock for lockof engagement of the cocking-lever when the gun is in its normal closed position, substantlally as and for the purpose specified.

6. The combination of the barrel of a gun.

and a movable dog secured thereto with the hammer of the gun, a cocking-lever connected to the hammer and to the movable dog secured to the barrel, a lock for locking the point of engagement of said movable dog out of operative engagement with the point.

of engagement of said cocking-lever, and means for causing the lock to release the oscillating dog from said locked position upon the breaking of the gun, substantially as and for the purpose described.

7. The combination, with the barrel of a gun and the dog G pivoted thereto, of the frame A, the cocking-lever F, for engaging the dog G, the project-ion F on the ookinglever F, for forcing the engaging-point of the dog G out of operative engagement with the engaging-point of said cocking-leverF, and

a'lock for retaining said dog G in its said forced position, substantially, as and for purpose specified.

8. The combination of the frame A, the hammer D, the cooking-lever F, connected to the hammer D, the barrel 0, the dog G, supported by the barrel C, the extractor-bar L, for normally locking the dog G when the gun is in its closed position, and means for operating the extractor to release the dog G from the its locked position, substantially as and for the purpose described.

9. The combination *of the frame A, the hammer D, the cocking-lever F, connected to the hammer D, the barrel 0, the dog G, supported by said barrel 0, and the spring I, for engaging the said dog G with the cocking-lever F, with the extractor-rod L, for normally looking the dog G when the gun is in its closed position, the cut-out L in the extractor-rod, engaged with the projection G of said dog when the barrels are dropped, and means for operating said extractor-bar, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

10. The herein-described check for guns, consisting of a dog pivoted to the gun-barrel and provided with an engaging-hook and a lever pivoted to the gun-frame and also provided with an engaging-hook, said dog and lever engaging each other and checking the movement of the gun-barrel independently of any shoulder provided thereon contacting with said barrel or gun-frame, substantially as and for the purpose set forth. i

In -testimony whereof we have hereunto signed our names, in the presence of two attesting witnesses, at Syracuse, in the county of Onondaga, in the State of New York, this 29th day of October, 1888. v

DANIEL M. LEFEVER. JESSE I-I. BROWN.

Witnesses:

A. E. PARSONS, CLARK H. NORTON. 

